Batson Prairie and the present day town of Batson were named for the pioneer Batson family who settled in this area by the 1840s. Matilda Guedry and her family were among the early settlers on Batson Prairie, Matilda purchased a large tract of land . . . — — Map (db m195822) HM
Founded 1859 as first county seat of Hardin County, created in 1858. Prospered until bypassed by Sabine & East Texas Railroad in 1881. A fire of suspicious origin razed the Courthouse here on Aug. 8, 1886. In an 1887 election, Kountze, on the . . . — — Map (db m255344) HM
Hardin County was created in 1858. The official Hardin County building was probably a two-story log building that burned about 1886. Early county records were destroyed in the conflagration.
In 1887, architect Frank Smith of Beaumont designed a . . . — — Map (db m45018) HM
The Baptist Church of Hardin was organized in 1860 with Pastor D.W. Jordan. When the railroad bypassed Hardin (then the county seat) in 1881, area residents began moving to nearby Kountze. Hardin Baptists are believed to have followed, probably . . . — — Map (db m45134) HM
The town of Kountze developed in the 1880s, after the Texas and New Orleans Railroad was built through this area. The county seat, which had previously been located at the town of Hardin, was moved to Kountze in 1886.
Soon after the town's . . . — — Map (db m45102) HM
American military leader honored in this county in name of an early town (12 mi. W). Born in North Carolina, Bragg was in Texas in 1840s with army of General Zachary Taylor, to fight in Mexican War.
Made a brigadier general of the . . . — — Map (db m255305) HM
Created January 22, 1858 Organized August 9, 1858 Named in honor of the Hardins of Liberty County, five brothers - Benjamin Watson, Augustine Blackburn, William, Franklin and Milton A. who came to Texas in 1825 County seat, Hardin, 1858-1887 . . . — — Map (db m44982) HM
Established in 1902, the Hooks Abstract Company is thought to be the oldest continuously operating business in Hardin County. Named for its major investor J.B. Hooks, the company initially provided land ownership research for oil and timber . . . — — Map (db m45029) HM
Designed by Frank T. Smith of Beaumont and built in 1902, this was the home of James L. (1844-1922) and Martha Slater (1840-1907) Kirby. James Kirby was superintendent of the Kirby Lumber Company, founded by his brother John Henry Kirby. Most of the . . . — — Map (db m255351) HM
This congregation was established in 1886, one year before Kountze was named Hardin County Seat. First services were held in the Masonic Hall and in the Courthouse. In 1891 a permanent building was constructed on Brown Road on land given by Judge . . . — — Map (db m255348) HM
Organized in September 1886, and chartered in December of that year, the Pine Lodge drew its original thirteen members from all over Hardin County. William B. Pedigo served as the first master of the lodge and would continue his association with it . . . — — Map (db m255349) HM
Conservationist Richard E. Jackson was born August 12, 1880, in Leary, Georgia. In 1886, he came with his parents to Jasper, Texas, where they opened a general mercantile store. As a teenager, he worked for the family store and carried mail from . . . — — Map (db m173798) HM
Kountze Baptist College (also known as Jermany College) served African American students in the area for nearly two decades. In 1910, the Trinity Valley Baptist Association opened the primary and secondary grade level school. Such institutions were . . . — — Map (db m173799) HM
Born in North Carolina. Graduated in 1833 from West Point. In 1845 came to Texas with army of General Zachary Taylor, to fight in Mexican War. In 1850's retired from army to be a planter. Also served as Commissioner of Public Works, State of . . . — — Map (db m255360) HM
The Big Thicket National Preserve exists today in large part due to the efforts of a few dedicated individuals who took up the causes of conservation and wildlife preservation against great odds, both political and social. Lance Rosier was one of . . . — — Map (db m173802) HM
A small group of Big Thicket pioneers settled here in the mid-
1800 to work farms and run hogs in the almost limitless
forest. One of the earliest anglo settlers in the area, John
Fletcher Cotten (1819-1907), first tracked his hogs through . . . — — Map (db m255353) HM
Alabama native Richard Teel (1833-1918) came to East Texas in the 1850s. He married Nancy A. Hart (1842-1900) in 1858 and they settled here. When the Teels' son, D. J., died in 1893, he was buried here beside the family home. In 1908, after other . . . — — Map (db m255358) HM
